Venezuela's Bauxilum alumina sales up 15% at 55,412 mt for August

Venezuela's CVG-Bauxilum alumina sales totaled 55,412 mt in August, up 15% on sales of 48,049 mt in August 2012, Bauxilum said Tuesday.

August sales were down 8%, however, on sales of 59,997 mt in July 2013.

Of August sales, 30,201 mt were domestic sales and 25,211 mt were export sales to Swiss-based Glencore International AG.

Sales of alumina continued down due to the deteriorated state of the Puerto Ordaz-based plant, which is producing at around 30% of installed capacity.

That production could improve later in the year, when resources from the Fonden development fund are expected to become available to restart the plant's second alumina production line.

Bauxite sales from Bauxilum's Pijiguaos mine totaled 1,148 mt in August, down 98% on sales of 67,683 mt in July 2012. August bauxite sales were up 82%, however, on sales of 632 mt in July 2013. The bauxite sales were all to Ferralca downstream aluminum company.

Bauxilum forms part of the Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana's (CVG) 600,000 mt/year primary aluminum complex in Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar state.